MOBILE, Alabama -- Tropical Storm Lee knocked out power to almost 500 customers in southwest Alabama this afternoon, according to officials in Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Crews with Alabama Power were working to restore power to 472 customers in several areas, according to spokeswoman Beth Thomas. That figure included about 80 customers along Dauphin Island Parkway south of Interstate 10.

Further power outages were scattered around downtown Mobile, Saraland, Theodore, Bayou La Batre, Atmore and Jackson, she said.

Thomas could not say how long power had been out, but said it should be restored by 7 p.m.

With Lee creeping toward Alabama, Thomas said, "employees who work storms are on high alert over the weekend."

Only a few scattered outages were reported in Baldwin County, according to Riviera Utilities spokesman David Horton. Those were caused by fallen tree limbs, he said.